With a grandchild at your side, science will become a playground of discovery in a fun-filled adventure in the City of Roses capped by a night aboard retired U.S. Navy submarine the U.S.S. Blueback, star of the movie “The Hunt for Red October.” Get a good rest, because your days will be action-packed. Portland’s Oregon Museum of Science and Industry is a wonderland of hands-on learning where you glide on a Segway, create chemical concoctions, compete against a robot and survive an earthquake. There’s lots more fun, too!

Highlights

• Aboard the U.S.S. Blueback, explore this fast-attack submarine’s control room, the torpedo room, peer through the periscope — and spend the night!• Take a cinematic experience unlike any other at the OMSI’s OMNIMAX theater and spin through outer space in OMSI’s planetarium.• See how the Willamette River vertical lift bridge opens while standing in the bascule pit and jump aboard a jet boat for a water-spraying ride.

Activity Particulars

Walking and standing on field trips. Public transportation.

Coordinated by Road Scholar.

Portland (Oregon)

Portlanders live a life rich in the arts, surrounded by natural beauty and conveniently situated near the Pacific Coast and Columbia River Gorge. The City of Roses is a walker's paradise filled with parks, fountains and unique neighborhoods.

These instructors are participating on at least one date of this program. Please note that changes may occur.

Nathan Hoover

Inspired by the beauty and culture of Portland, Oregon, Nathan Hoover created his own walking exploration company that incorporates street theater and a musical soundtrack throughout each walking adventure. He also leads Bridge Walks for schools and Portland Parks and Recreation. Nathan has participated in Portland Riverfest celebrations and the PDX Bridge Festival, and he was the recipient of a grant from the Regional Arts & Culture Council.

Meals and Lodgings

Crowne Plaza Hotel- Downtown Convention Center (Portland)

Portland, Oregon

2 nights

USS Blueback Submarine

Portland, Oregon

1 night

Crowne Plaza Hotel- Downtown Convention Center (Portland)

Portland, Oregon

1 night

Crowne Plaza Hotel- Downtown Convention Center (Portland)

Type:

Full Service Hotel

Description:

Conveniently located in the Lloyd Business District of downtown Portland, the hotel brings the City of Roses to you. This full service hotel is within four blocks of the Oregon Convention Center, the Rose Garden Arena and the Memorial Coliseum.

This 241 guest rooms hotel was renovated in 2008. Amenities include an indoor salt water treated pool and whirlpool, 24-hour fitness center, on-site guest laundry, 24-hour business services and hotel shops including a convenience store, a newsstand and a gift shop. Lounge open from 3 PM to 12 AM. Room service available from 6 AM to 12 AM.
Hotel offers a free area shuttle within five miles of the hotel. The hotel always offers a complimentary shuttle to / from the Portland airport.
There is also an on-site Hertz car rental desk (503) 282-2644.
There are also bicycles and helmets for guests to borrow.

Smoking allowed:

No

Elevators available:

Yes

Additional nights prior:

$107 plus tax Reservations for additional nights should be made through GroupMax at 1-888-233-9527. Be sure to identify yourself as an Road Scholar participant. Special rate is dependent on availability at the hotel.

Check in time:

3:00 PM

Additional nights after:

$107 plus tax Reservations for additional nights should be made through GroupMax at 1-888-233-9527. Be sure to identify yourself as an Road Scholar participant. Special rate is dependent on availability at the hotel.

Check out time:

12:00 PM

USS Blueback Submarine

Type:

Other

Description:

OMSI is the home of the U.S. Navy's last non-nuclear, fast attack submarine, the U.S.S. Blueback (SS 581). After 31 years of service in the U.S. Navy throughout the Pacific Ocean, and appearing in the movie The Hunt for Red October, the Blueback is now on permanent display at OMSI. The Blueback is a Barbel class submarine, the first battle-ready class of subs to use the tear drop hull design.

Required
documents:
The Participant Information Form is required. Adults are required to complete a Medical Consent form for OMSI, an Adult Participation form for OMSI, Multnomah County Bridge Tour Release (1 PAGE VERSION), Willamette Jetboat waiver and Intergenerational Rules and Regulations form. PLEASE RETURN ALL FORMS TO THE ROAD SCHOLAR OFFICE BEFORE THE PROGRAM BEGINS. We will turn in forms as a group.
Young learners are required to complete a Parental Consent form, Medical Consent form for OMSI, Multnomah County Bridge Tour Release (2 PAGE VERSION), Willamette Jetboat waiver, and Intergenerational Rules and Regulations form. PLEASE RETURN ALL FORMS TO THE ROAD SCHOLAR OFFICE BEFORE THE PROGRAM BEGINS. We will turn in forms as a group.

Parking
availability:
Parking in the hotel lot is $3 per day.

Transportation

To
Start of Program

Location:

Portland, Oregon

From
End of Program

Location:

Portland, Oregon

(Additional
transportation information
same as above)

Travel Details

Portland (to Crowne Plaza)

From Airport

Service:

Hotel Shuttlephone: 503-233-2401

Per Person/One Way:

ComplimentaryPrices are subject to change.

Travel Time:

15-20 minutes

Distance:

10 miles

After you have your luggage, call the hotel, and let them know you are ready to be picked up. They will need your name, number of people in your party and a phone number. The wait is usually around 15 - 20 minutes. There may be several Crowne Plaza shuttles, you will want the one marked Downtown / Convention Center. Meet the shuttle outside of the baggage claim at island #2 marked "courtesy shuttles."

Portland (to Crowne Plaza Hotel)

From Train Station

Service:

Hotel Shuttlephone: 503-233-2401Advanced Reservations Required

Per Person/One Way:

ComplimentaryPrices are subject to change.

Travel Time:

5 minutes

Distance:

1 mile

After you have your luggage, call the hotel letting them know you are at the train station and are ready for to be picked up. They will need your name, # of people in your group, and a phone number. There may be a short wait for this complimentary service. You must call the hotel to be picked up. Make sure you board the Crowne Plaza Downtown / Convention Center shuttle.

Portland (to Crowne Plaza Hotel)

From Bus Terminal

Service:

Hotel Shuttlephone: 503-233-2401

Per Person/One Way:

ComplimentaryPrices are subject to change.

Travel Time:

5 minutes

Distance:

1 mile

After you have your luggage, call the hotel letting them know you are at the bus station and are ready for to be picked up. They will need your name, # of people in your group, and a phone number. There may be a short wait for this complimentary service. You must call the hotel to be picked up. Make sure you board the Crowne Plaza Downtown / Convention Center shuttle.

The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.

Daily Schedule

Day 1:

Meet New Friends and Start Your Adventure(Wednesday, July 10)

Arrive To:

Hotel check-in begins at 3:00 PM

Afternoon:

Registration and get acquainted at 4:00 PM.

Dinner:

Enjoy dinner at the hotel as you meet new friends.

Evening:

Program orientation session will prepare you for this exciting adventure.

The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry is 219,000 square feet of brain-powered fun! Five enormous halls bring science to life with hundreds of interactive exhibits and displays. Scientific themes represented include Earth Science, Life Science, Physical Science and Technology. Each hall features hands-on labs and activity centers led by educators, where you can test scientific theories demonstrated in the exhibits and take part in live science presentations throughout the day. This morning, we'll head to the Fossil and the Jitterbugs labs for specially designed activities just for you and your grandchild.

Your choice! With over 200 interactive exhibits and displays to choose from in 5 halls of the Museum any choice you make will give you many insights into your grandchild’s mind!

Next, grab your towel and extra jacket, as you head outdoors to the Willamette Jetboat for a ride not soon forgotten! Not only will you take a thrilling ride along the Portland waterfront, with a view of Portland from a perspective unseen by most, but fast turns and spraying water may give you a refreshing break!

Dinner:

Dinner on your own to visit a Portland restaurant followed by time to explore the area or return to the hotel for an evening swim.

Note: This morning you’ll check out of the hotel and sleep over on the submarine tonight. The hotel will provide luggage storage until you check back in tomorrow for the last afternoon and evening of the program. Bring overnight supplies to OMSI including a sleeping bag, pillow, toothbrush/toothpaste, comb or brush, washcloth, and large plastic bag to hold all items. Label with each of your name(s). Sleeping areas are co-ed so wear something comfortable such as sweats over a t-shirt and shorts.

Breakfast:

Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning:

After you get your overnight bags settled, you will travel to a park where you'll be joined by an expert naturalist who will introduce you to the large variety of plants and animals in a nearby wildlife preserve ~ in the heart of the city!

Lunch:

For lunch, you'll enjoy a catered picnic at the riverfront park.

Afternoon:

You'll have another afternoon of amazing lab work. Mix it up and see the reactions in the Chemistry Lab then view spectacular demonstrations of unusual physics in the Physics Lab, which may include the vacuum chamber, the Van de Graaf generator, or bridge building.

Then head to the newly refurbished OmniMax Theater with a five-story domed screen covering 6532 square feet of projection surface, and 30-degree, stadium seating. The OMNIMAX Dome Theater provides a unique immersive educational experience and is the only large format dome theater in the state.

Dinner:

An early dinner at OMSI will get you ready to enjoy your submarine experience!

Evening:

Time to stow your gear in the submarine and get oriented to your home for the night. But first, take a trip to the stars in the Kendall Planetarium, exploring celestial navigation. Returning to the USS Blueback, explore the control room, the torpedo room and the crew's quarters. Peer through the periscope in this last fast-attack diesel-electric submarine built by the U.S. Navy. Hands-on activities designed for you and your grandchild immerse you in the undersea world where 85 crew members once worked, slept and ate (sometimes for weeks at a time). Snack just before lights out at 11:00! The other option is to sleep in the museum. Bring a mat or air mattress and bunk down amongst the exhibits!

Note: Expect to walk up to a bit over a mile on the bridges tour. Expect to be on your feet for majority of the tour, there will be an opportunity to sit down while on the public transit during the tour.

Breakfast:

Lights on at 7:00 AM! Good morning! Time to pack up your gear, then head to breakfast.

Morning:

Closing ceremonies follow within the museum, with a little additional time to view your favorite exhibits. At 8:30 AM, make sure all gear is together in our storage area at OMSI. Enjoy some quiet time in preparation for our morning labs. At 10:00 AM enjoy the Segway lab--a fun and enjoyable way to learn about this mode of transportation. Following the lab the group will make another visit to the Planetarium to see a laser light show!

Lunch:

Lunch at the hotel followed by time to check back into your room and enjoy some time on your own to relax, take a swim in the pool or shop at the Portland Saturday Market.

Afternoon:

Later in the afternoon the group will take a fun and interesting tour of one of the many bridges that cross the Willamette river. You'll have an opportunity to see how the bridge operates from the tower and you'll see the bridge open from down in the bascule pit!

Dinner:

Enjoy dinner with your new found friends at a local restaurant.

Evening:

Play a quiz game in groups to see what you have learned during this science packed program!

OMSI (Oregon Museum of Science and Industry)
OMSI makes science exciting and relevant through exhibits, programs, and experiences that are presented in an entertaining and participatory fashion.
OMSI includes five unique halls, eight hands-on science labs, the USS Blueback submarine, an OMNIMAX® giant-screen theater, planetarium and much more!
Information from www.omsi.edu. Call 800-955-6674 or visit their website for additional information. For additional information, visit www.omsi.edu

Oregon Zoo
The 64-acre Oregon Zoo has five major exhibit areas: Great Northwest, Fragile Forests, Asia, Pacific Shores and Africa. Within these large areas are 23 specialized exhibits. 2,200 individual animals represent 260 species of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates. Information from www.oregonzoo.org. Call 503-226-1561 or visit their website for additional information. For additional information, visit www.oregonzoo.org

Pittock Mansion
The Pittock Mansion was home to Portland pioneers Henry and Georgiana Pittock from 1914 to 1919. During the late 1800s and the early 1900s, their lives and work paralleled the growth of Portland from a small Northwest town site to a thriving city with a quarter million population. With its eclectic architectural design and richly decorated interior, including family artifacts, the Pittock Mansion stands today as a living memorial of this family’s contributions to the blossoming of Portland and its people.
Information from www.pittockmansion.org. Call 503-823-3623 or visit their website for additional information. For additional information, visit www.pittockmansion.org

Portland Art Museum
The Portland Art Museum is the oldest art museum in the Pacific Northwest. The Museum’s collection includes works of European painting and sculpture, American painting and sculpture, English silver, Asian art, Native American art, Pre-Columbian art, Cameroon and other African art, contemporary art, sculpture, prints and drawings, and photography. Call 503-226-2811 or visit the website for additional information. For additional information, visit www.portlandartmuseum.org

Portland Japanese Garden
This beautiful and tranquil garden features five gardens in 5.5 acres. Call 503-223-1231 or visit their website for additional information.
For additional information, visit www.japanesegarden.com

Portland Saturday Market
Every Saturday and Sunday from March until December the Old Town / Chinatown neighborhood transforms into a thriving arts and crafts open-air marketplace with vendors selling everything from art to food. When you need a break from browsing you can sit down, relax and enjoy the onstage entertainment. Information from www.portlandsaturdaymarket.com. Call 503-222-6072 or visit their website for additional information. For additional information, visit www.portlandsaturdaymarket.com

Powell's City of Books
Powell's City of Books has over a million new and used books on the shelves. Get lost in the nine color coded rooms while searching through the 3,500 sections. This is more than just a bookstore, it's an entire block! Call 1-800-878-7323 or visit their website for additional information. For additional information, visit www.powells.com

Tri Met
Tri Met is Portland's public transportation system (includes lightrail, streetcar and buses). Call 503-238-7433 or visit their website for more information. For additional information, visit www.tri-met.org

Waterfront Bicycle
Whether you're looking to rent a bike for a few hours or for a week, Waterfront Bicycle will have what you need. All rentals include a helmet, lock and handlebar bag. Choose from five styles of bikes. Website includes suggested rides. Call 503-227-1719 or visit their website for additional information. For additional information, visit www.waterfrontbikes.com

Willamette Jetboat Excursions, LLC
Explore Portland's historic bridges, skyline and scenic waterfront. Catch a glimpse of bald eagles and osprey as they nest along the river. Glide past spectacular river-front homes on your way to the magnificent Willamette Falls, stopping just yards from the cascading water.
Each adventure is narrated with facts and local stories from USCG licensed pilots. They also include adventure and splash, including spins and thrills only possible on a jetboat!
Information from www.willamettejet.com. Call 1-888-538-2628 or visit their website for additional information.
For additional information, visit www.willamettejet.com

World Forestry Center
Located in Portland's beautiful Washington Park. All new hands-on, interactive exhibits are family friendly and designed to engage visitors to learn about the sustainability of forests and trees of the Pacific Northwest and around the world.
Information from www.worldforestry.org. Call 503-228-1367 or visit their website for additional information. For additional information, visit www.worldforestry.org

Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.

You can't find a better value than Road Scholar.

As a not-for-profit organization, we are dedicated to providing all-inclusive educational programs at great value. From lectures to gratuities to field trips to accommodations - the tuition you pay up front is all that you pay.

Specifically, this program includes:

4 nights accommodations

10 meals:
4 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners

Field trips: 4

Field trips

The world is your classroom, as you're on location with an instructor to pursue your educational theme firsthand.

Hands-on experiences: 6

Hands-on experiences

Learn by doing in these "hands-on" activities directed by an expert.

Performances: 3

Performances

A performance can range from a night at the opera to a visit from a local performer at your hotel.

Plus these special experiences...

There will be plenty of "oohhhs and aahhhs" at OMSI from bubbling chemistry experiments to rides on a Segway.

Jet boat spray will be among the fond memories of your exciting ride along the Willamette River for years to come!

OmniMax's dome screen, digital surround sound, and IMAX projection system put you in the center of the cinematic action as you explore the Universe.

Explore wildlife with a local naturalist in a Portland park after a delicious picnic lunch.

View the Daily Schedule to see more

And included with all Road Scholar programs:

Learning led by expert instructors who are authorities in the field of study.

An experienced Group Leader attuned to the needs of Road Scholar participants.

Customary gratuities throughout the program that you would normally pay yourself.